David Murphy

The Angels acquired Murphy from the Rangers at the trade deadline as part of a platoon in the outfield, and while the five home runs that he hit in 48 games represented decent production, he was not i...

Murphy's first season in Cleveland served as a rebound from his final campaign in Texas, as he added 42 points of batting average and posted a slash line much closer to his career mark (.273/.335/.433). For the first time as a big leaguer, Murphy failed to reach double-digit home runs, and for the second straight season, he contributed much less than the double-digit stolen bases that he offered from 2010-2012. The drop in long balls was fueled by a career-low 6.3% HR/FB (career 9.9%), offering some hope of a rebound in that category. Now 33, there is little reason to expect the speed to return, and Murphy's defense graded out well below average in 2014, which could ultimately put his playing time in jeopardy if he's unable to show a more discerning eye at the plate.

2014

Murphy had his worst season as a lineup regular in 2013, hitting just .220 with 13 homers in nearly 500 at-bats. A three-year streak of 10-plus steals came to an abrupt end as well, as he was just 1-for-5 on the basepaths. Signed by the Indians to a two-year deal in November, Murphy's career numbers against righties (.280/.347/.469) retains some value if manager Terry Francona deploys him accordingly as part of a corner-outfield platoon.

2013

It happens every March. Murphy is seemigly buried on the depth chart, destined for a reserve outfielder role, and yet he ends up with 400-plus at-bats by the time October comes calling. It was much the same again last year, and you can all but mark him down for 15 homers, 55 RBI, 50 runs and 10 steals every year. There are far worse endgame options should it progress to that point, and the only concern here would be a move to the outfield for Ian Kinsler or the acquisition of a bigger ticket corner outfielder.

2012

Murphy starts every year as the fourth outfielder and ends the season with 120 games and 400 at-bats under his belt, invariably aided by injuries to Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton. He didn't hit for much power or average this season, though he still managed a roto-friendly 11 homers, 11 steals and 46 RBI that likely far outpaced his cost back in March. He's a favorite of manager Ron Washington, though a possible permanent shift of Hamilton to left field (with Leonys Martin manning center field) would seem to cut into Murphy's playing time to some extent, but he'll get his at-bats somewhere.

2011

Murphy begins every spring training without a spot in the everyday lineup but ends up with 400-plus at-bats by the end of the year. He's a cheap source of 15 homers, 60 RBI and a .280 average, and he'll get his 400 at-bats again despite an apparent lack of available at-bats when March rolls around. To sweeten the pot, Murphy went 14-for-16 on stolen base attempts last season and his part-time role should be significant as long as the Rangers have a mix of injury-prone corner outfielders and an uncertain option in center field with Julio Borbon.

2010

Murphy began the year buried on the bench and went hitless in his first 21 at-bats. He got back in the lineup with Josh Hamilton limited by injury, and posted a decent season when all was said and done. He'll find himself getting regular at-bats with the offseason departure of Hank Blalock and Andruw Jones, plus the departure of Marlon Byrd via free agency. He's a good bet to approach 20 homers and 70 RBI in an expanded role, though his value takes a small hit in leagues that use OBP and slugging as scoring categories.

2009

Murphy missed the final two months of the season with a knee injury suffered in a home plate collision, but still managed a respectable fantasy line. He tailed off a bit (.239/.265/.435 in June, .238/.315/.438 in July), but he's a favorite of Ron Washington, which should result in a semi-regular reserve role at a minimum. There's a platoon possibility with Marlon Byrd if Nelson Cruz earns regular playing time in the spring and Hank Blalock is limited to DH duties.

2008

Murphy made a good impression with his new club, hitting a robust .343/.384/.552 in 105 at-bats after being acquired from Boston in the Eric Gagne trade, but a truer reflection of his skills are found in his Triple-A numbers (.280/.347/.423, 41 walks in 400 at-bats). He'll get a look at earning an everyday lineup spot in the spring with Texas' lack of decent outfielders, but don't get fooled here looking strictly at his numbers for Texas.

2007

Murphy finally reached the show in 2006, getting some September at-bats for Boston. His batting average and power numbers dropped through stops at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, but he still possesses an excellent swing and shows good patience at the plate. The club would like to see him develop more power. Though he came up as a center fielder, he'll probably be a corner outfielder for the Red Sox, who are high on center field prospect Jacoby Ellsbury and still have Coco Crisp at the major league level. He could stick with Boston as a left-handed bat off the bench and fifth outfielder.

2006

Murphy finally started to show why he was taken in the first round in the 2003 draft. A lackluster 2004 carried over into the beginning of 2005 when he was hitting as low as .207 on June 7, however he salvaged the season by hitting .310 (75-for-242) in the final 66 games, including a .379 (39-for-103) July, and won the organization's minor league defensive player of the year award (four errors in 131 games). His power stroke started to develop and he improved in every major offensive category. He'll likely begin the 2006 season in Triple-A.

2005

Murphy, 23, was Boston's first-round pick in 2003. He has all the ancillary skills -- leadership, patience at the plate, a good attitude -- but is still behind offensively. You can blame injuries for keeping his stats down in 2004, but he only hit four homers in 290 at-bats. Injured or not, we expect more from an outfielder. We and the club are anxious to see how he responds in 2005.

2004

Murphy, Boston's No. 1 pick in 2003, moved quickly to High-A Sarasota after hitting well at short season Lowell. He struggled at the higher level, but the club is pleased with his progress. He didn't show much extra-base power at either level, but he's still developing.